Kapa Haka

The school Kapa Haka group focuses on preparing performances for school events. The main focus for the first half of the year is to support our speakers at the regional Manu Korero speech competitions. The second half of the year has a focus on the school prizegiving ceremony. We practice once a week at lunch time and this group is open to all students within the school.
We also have students who join a group called Te Pou o nga Rangi. This is a group which has members from four contributing schools. Participation in this requires a large level of commitment outside of school time. In 2011, it will be a great opportunity to improve skill levels and enjoy the benefits of being a part of the Canterbury, regional secondary school Kapa Haka competitions. 

2010 'Te Pou o nga Rangi'
Five of our students travelled to Rotorua on Friday July 27 to compete at the National Secondary School's Kapa Haka competitions. The girls are a part of a group called 'Te Pou o nga Rangi'. This is a group is made up of students from Christchurch Boys' High School, Christchurch Girls' High School, Hagley Community college and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te Whanau Tahi. The group has been tutored by Kaperiere Hogan. This has required a great deal of commitment from our girls, but has been a great opportunity for them as well. They will be competing against 41 of the best high school kapa haka groups in the country. This includes two other Christchurch groups which are; Te Kura Whakapumau and another combined group of Burniside High School and Halswell Residential College. The girls performed on Friday, which was the last day of the competitions. 

Results:
The girls did not achieve a place but they enjoyed the experience and had a wonderful trip. They were stunned by the skill level of the top groups and they are now aware of the level of expertise they need to attain for the future.